Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Health Benefits of Motorcycle Riding


Motorcycle enthusiasts will tell you, the thrill and adrenaline rush you get when riding a motor bike down the road is amazing. The exhilarating feeling will get you out of any low points in your life, as least momentarily. Whether you just have time to go for a quick run, or actually plan a road trip with your buddies, there's no comparison. Some people love the sound and feel of a powerful engine's vibration as they ride down the road. Driving a car just doesn't give the same thrill it seems. With this said, even though there is great risk involved in riding a motorcycle, can it actually improve your health and general well being? Read on to find out!

Some people will swear that motorcycle riding promotes healthy brain development. Furthermore, some people in their 50's and 60's credit their love for bike riding and other activities with their bike for helping them keep their brains functioning at a peak level. Riding a motorcycle pushes you to stay alert at all times and to multi-task. This helps people develop their cognitive skills at peak performance. For example, since motorcycle riders must watch out for many other dangers and to avoid potential hazards around them, they must process information quickly and respond accordingly.

In a research environment, motorcycle riders scored higher on the tests than the non-riding participants. Also it was shown that people who had their motorcycle licenses for longer periods of time, at least ten years, also performed the best in terms of cognitive ability. The health benefit of motorcycle riding doesn't end there though. It's no surprise that riding a bike takes a lot of effort and energy in comparison to driving a four passenger car. Controlling the bike takes almost every muscle in your body to balance, steer, and avoid obstacles in the road. Muscle tone and definition is something that frequent riders will tell you - motorcycle riding allows them to get their daily dose of exercise. You can even cut down on so many trips to the gym.

People value companionship these days, and sometimes you can't really do that in a four passenger car. Whether you ride a Harley or a Yamaha, almost all bikers will wave to each other when passing, and you can join many groups of people and organizations who get together to ride like a family. This creates a tight network of long lasting friendships, if you let it. Most other bikers are friendly and want to join you along the way if you are traveling in the same direction as they are. Companionship can raise your morale and mental wellbeing, which definitely plays a large part in your health.

Along that same note, riding improves your mood. Without a doubt, any motorcycle junkie and owner will tell you that they feel happier when riding. Happiness takes down our stress levels and prolongs our life span. It even helps us counter anxiety, depression, and general illnesses. If something lifts your mood, your health will definitely improve. So a joy ride with your bike could actually give you a healthier lifestyle.

Another way to make sure you are safe at all times is to get a comprehensive motorcycle insurance plan. You'll have greater peace in mind when riding. Safety concerns may be slightly curbed knowing you have full insurance coverage.

1 comment:

  1. Agree 100 percent. When i'm riding there is no time for daily stresses, you are to busy looking at road conditions, other traffic, corners, bends and a whole host of other things. Yet I still find time for a sing song (usually off key) in my helmet! It takes ages for the buzz to go when I stop riding!

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